Teresa Leitão

During Women’s History Month, seven women, one from each Special Olympics Region, shared their unique stories of what it was like to participate in and plan a World Games.

I have been involved in many World Games in many roles. At the 1999 World Games in North Carolina, I was the head coach for tennis for Special Olympics Brazil. In 2001 in Anchorage, I was the Assistant Head of Delegation. In Shanghai in 2007, I was the head coach for tennis again. I was the Head of Delegation for Special Olympics Brazil in Pyeongchang in 2013. I was the Technical Delegate for tennis in 2011 in Athens, 2015 in Los Angeles and 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

The TD advises the local organizing committee (LOC) on the technical requirements of the specific sport to ensure a safe, quality and dignified sports environment. The TD is the final authority on each of these matters: rules, competition schedule, field of play, equipment, volunteer staff, competition management team, technical officials, coaches meetings, sanctions, sports publications, results, and more.

I would suggest for them to get involved with Special Olympics because it is worth it every moment we get to spend with athletes.

Many women may see it as a more masculine role and do not want to be working with more administrative functions or as a sports manager. We should show that is possible for everyone and does not depend on gender. A woman can have the same roles with the same level of success.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She has transformed the lives of millions of people around the world, including mine.